New Age paper finally here

The new Age newspaper has finally launched after a rocky start that saw the resignation of its editor and four journalists in October

The New Age newspaper finally hit the streets on Monday, with editor Henry Jeffreys launching into whether it was an ANC mouthpiece.

"Contrary to popular (mainly the media) opinion – we are not The New Agent", read a strapline preceding his maiden editorial.

"…Well, here it is. The New Age has no formal links with the ANC (or any other political party, for that matter)," wrote Jeffreys after conceding it had not been "an easy birth".

"There is no hotline between my office in Midrand and Luthuli House in Sauer Street.

"We will, generally, support the government of the day, at all levels," wrote Jeffreys, in a piece on the front page. He however added the caveat that it would also be "constructively critical" and expose bad government, bad business and corruption, and hold public figures to their promises.

He felt it was insulting to suggest their journalists were ideologues or propagandists, said Jeffreys who was brought in to replace Vuyo Mvoko, who resigned with four other journalists on the eve of their original launch date in October.

He said they were also opposed to Protection of Information Bill in its current form, as well as the ANC’s plans for a statutory media appeals tribunal.

"We support media self-regulation as the only mechanism where a free press may exist and flourish." Sapa